Scottish local authorities will be free to develop their own local outcome indicators, under the single outcome agreements all 32 have signed with the Scottish Government. The change of political control at Holyrood saw acceleration of work on the agreements, and achievement of a 30 June deadline for signing them. Councils may develop their own indicators, in accordance with 15 national outcomes. ‘Each of the single outcome agreements approved today defines what councils will achieve through the services they deliver, and recognises that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work at a local level,’ said financial secretary, John Swinney. Councils can draw on three sources to develop indicators. The Improvement Service has published a menu of 55 local outcome indicators; the Scottish Government has 45 national indicators, including explicit targets; and many councils have their own local targets. But highway and transportation indicators are few in the national indicators, or the local menu. The national set includes targets on journeys to work and congestion, and the menu has road safety and walking to school. ‘It’s not quite clear whether the national indicators are open for revision or expansion,’ says IS outcomes programme manager, Bob Christie. ‘There may appear to be gaps in coverage, and that’s why we’ve encouraged local authorities to develop their own indicators.’ The IS is working towards fuller single outcome agreements next year, and on improved data and a revised menu.